tropic of Cancer

noun

See under tropic(def 1a).

Origin of tropic of Cancer

First recorded in 1545–55

Words nearby tropic of Cancer

trophy room, trophy wife, tropia, tropic, tropic bird, tropic of Cancer, tropic of capricorn, tropical, tropical abscess, tropical acne, tropical anemia

Definition for tropic of cancer (2 of 3)

tropic
[ trop-ik ]
/ ˈtrɒp ɪk /

noun

Geography.
  1. either of two corresponding parallels of latitude on the terrestrial globe, one (tropic of Cancer) about 23½° N, and the other (tropic of Capricorn) about 23½° S of the equator, being the boundaries of the Torrid Zone.
  2. the tropics, the regions lying between and near these parallels of latitude; the Torrid Zone and neighboring regions.
Astronomy. either of two circles on the celestial sphere, one lying in the same plane as the tropic of Cancer, the other in the same plane as the tropic of Capricorn.

adjective

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or occurring in the tropics; tropical: romance under the tropic skies of Old Mexico.

Origin of tropic

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin tropicus < Greek tropikós pertaining to a turn, equivalent to tróp(os) turn + -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM tropic

non·trop·ic, adjective un·trop·ic, adjective

Definition for tropic of cancer (3 of 3)

cancer
[ kan-ser ]
/ ˈkæn sər /

noun

Pathology.
  1. a malignant and invasive growth or tumor, especially one originating in epithelium, tending to recur after excision and to metastasize to other sites.
  2. any disease characterized by such growths.
any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight.
genitive Can·cri [kang-kree] /ˈkæŋ kri/. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. the Crab, a zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo.
(initial capital letter) Astrology.
  1. the fourth sign of the zodiac: the cardinal water sign.
  2. a person born under this sign, usually between June 21 and July 22.
(initial capital letter) tropic of. See under tropic(def 1a).

Origin of cancer

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: literally, crab; Latin stem cancr-, dissimilated from *carcr-, with *carc-r- akin to Greek karkínos, Sanskrit karkata crab; see canker

SYNONYMS FOR cancer

2 sickness, evil, plague, scourge.

OTHER WORDS FROM cancer

British Dictionary definitions for tropic of cancer (1 of 3)

cancer
/ (ˈkænsə) /

noun

any type of malignant growth or tumour, caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division: it may spread through the lymphatic system or blood stream to other parts of the body
the condition resulting from this
an evil influence that spreads dangerously

Other words from cancer

Related prefix: carcino-

Derived forms of cancer

cancerous, adjective cancerously, adverb

Word Origin for cancer

C14: from Latin: crab, a creeping tumour; related to Greek karkinos crab, Sanskrit karkata

British Dictionary definitions for tropic of cancer (2 of 3)

Cancer
/ (ˈkænsə) /

noun Latin genitive Cancri (ˈkæŋkriː)

astronomy a small faint zodiacal constellation in the N hemisphere, lying between Gemini and Leo on the ecliptic and containing the star cluster Praesepe
astrology
  1. Also called: the Crab the fourth sign of the zodiac, symbol ♋, having a cardinal water classification and ruled by the moon. The sun is in this sign between about June 21 and July 22
  2. Also called: Moonchild a person born during a period when the sun is in this sign
tropic of Cancer See tropic (def. 1)

adjective

astrology born under or characteristic of Cancer
Also (for senses 2b, 4): Cancerian ( kænˈsɪərɪən)

British Dictionary definitions for tropic of cancer (3 of 3)

tropic
/ (ˈtrɒpɪk) /

noun

(sometimes capital) either of the parallel lines of latitude at about 23 1/2 °N (tropic of Cancer) and 23 1/2 °S (tropic of Capricorn) of the equator
the tropics (often capital) that part of the earth's surface between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; the Torrid Zone
astronomy either of the two parallel circles on the celestial sphere having the same latitudes and names as the corresponding lines on the earth

adjective

a less common word for tropical

Word Origin for tropic

C14: from Late Latin tropicus belonging to a turn, from Greek tropikos, from tropos a turn; from the ancient belief that the sun turned back at the solstices

Medical definitions for tropic of cancer

cancer
[ kăn′sər ]

n.

Any of various malignant neoplasms characterized by the proliferation of anaplastic cells that tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites.
The pathological condition characterized by such growths.

Other words from cancer

can′cer•ous (kăn′sər-əs) adj.

Scientific definitions for tropic of cancer (1 of 4)

cancer
[ kăn′sər ]

A disease characterized by any of various malignant neoplasms composed of abnormal cells that tend to proliferate rapidly and invade surrounding tissue. Without treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, cancer cells can metastasize to other body sites and cause organ failure and death.
A malignant tumor.

A Closer Look

The human immune system often fights off stray cancer cells just as it does bacteria and viruses. However, when cancer cells establish themselves in the body with their own blood supply and begin replicating out of control, cancer becomes a threatening neoplasm, or tumor. It takes a minimum of one billion cancer cells for a neoplasm to be detectable by conventional radiology and physical examinations. Cancer, which represents more than 100 separate diseases, destroys tissues and organs through invasive growth in a particular part of the body and by metastasizing to distant tissues and organs through the bloodstream or lymph system. Heredity, lifestyle habits (such as smoking), and a person's exposure to certain viruses, toxic chemicals, and excessive radiation can trigger genetic changes that affect cell growth. The altered genes, or oncogenes, direct cells to multiply abnormally, thereby taking on the aggressive and destructive characteristics of cancer. Treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are effective with many cancers, but they also end up killing healthy cells. Gene therapy attempts to correct the faulty DNA that causes the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. Researchers are investigating other treatments, such as immunotherapy (the stimulation of the body's natural defenses), vectorization (aiming chemicals specifically at cancer cells), and nanotechnology (targeting cancer cells with minute objects the size of atoms).

Scientific definitions for tropic of cancer (2 of 4)

Cancer

A faint constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Leo and Gemini. Cancer (the Crab) is the fourth sign of the zodiac.

Scientific definitions for tropic of cancer (3 of 4)

tropic
[ trŏp′ĭk ]

Either of the two parallels of latitude representing the points farthest north and south at which the Sun can shine directly overhead. The northern tropic is the Tropic of Cancer and the southern one is the Tropic of Capricorn.
tropics. The region of the Earth lying between these latitudes. The tropics are generally the warmest and most humid region of the Earth. Also called Torrid Zone

Scientific definitions for tropic of cancer (4 of 4)

Tropic of Cancer

The parallel of latitude approximately 23°27′ north. It forms the boundary between the Torrid and North Temperate zones.

Cultural definitions for tropic of cancer (1 of 2)

Tropic of Cancer

Imaginary line that circles the Earth about one-quarter of the way from the equator to the North Pole. The sun is directly overhead at the June solstice.

Cultural definitions for tropic of cancer (2 of 2)

cancer

A disease characterized by rapid growth of cells in the body, often in the form of a tumor. Cancer is invasive — that is, it can spread to surrounding tissues. Although this disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, research has provided considerable insight into its many causes (which may include diet, viruses, or environmental factors) and options for treatment (which include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and possibly gene therapy).

notes for cancer

The term cancer is often used to describe a nonmedical condition that is undesirable, destructive, and invasive: “ Watergate was a cancer on the presidency.”